Portable levee system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an apparatus for filling a tubular bag with a granular material in order to construct a levee. The apparatus includes a hopper for funneling material into a loading box. A ram drive system then forces the granular material from the loading box into a tubular bag. The force of the ram also serves to propel the apparatus away from the filled bag so that the apparatus does not require a drive unit. The tubular bag is a pleated design installed around the opening of the loading box so as to extend as loaded. The apparatus can be scaled to accept different size bags to create levees of different heights and lengths.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/467,386, filed on May 2, 2003, hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The subject of this invention relates to the construction of barricades and in particular, this invention relates to an apparatus and a method for quickly filling a resilient tubular structure with a granular material to create a temporary levee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Unexpected weather situations, environmental spills and erosion control frequently require the rapid deployment of a barricade system. Unexpected increases in water levels due to spring snow melts, hurricanes, heavy rains and flash floods create a need for the rapid deployment of a material barrier to prevent property loss due to rising water. Likewise, environmental spills of oil and other chemicals as well as construction projects, which might induce hazardous run-off from a building site, require the creation of barriers to prevent the further spread of harmful agents in the environment. There is a need then for a device capable of creating a quick temporary barrier in order to prevent property damage.

[0004] Typically such barriers are built by hand using sandbags. Do to time constraints, these barriers are frequently filled by teams of volunteers and placed by hand in a line. In flood situation the barriers typically extend for hundreds of yards. For large barriers, filling the enormous number of sand bags required is a time consuming and backbreaking endeavor. A barricade of any length requires scores of workers and many hours to complete. There is a need for a simpler way to create barriers or levees, which requires relatively few personnel, and by which a substantial wall can be completed in less time than it takes for a crew of manual labor volunteers to arrive at the scene and begin filling sand bags.

[0005] For larger spills or flooding, earth-moving machines are frequently used to build an earthen barrier. While less people are needed to perform this work, the granular fill used to form the barriers is unprotected and subject to erosion from the very substances the barriers are intended to contain. Therefore, there is a need to create a larger size barrier that is protected from water or liquid so as to survive the contact with the floodwaters or the spill material. Ideally, the protective covering should provide some structure to the wall, which is lacking in an earthen dam created by typical construction machinery.

[0006] There is a need then for a device which can rapidly create a barricade. The device should require minimal amounts of manpower to operate. The device should create a barricade that is resistant to the affects of the environment. Moreover, it is desirable to have this device be reliable, efficient and less cost than the comparable manpower required to fill sandbags or run multiple pieces of heavy machinery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The levee builder system of the present invention substantially meets the needs as outlined above. The present invention is an apparatus for filling a tubular bag with a granular material in order to construct a levee. The apparatus includes a hopper for funneling material into a loading box. A ram drive system then forces the granular material from the loading box into a tubular bag. The force of the ram also serves to propel the apparatus away from the filled bag so that the apparatus does not require a drive unit. The tubular bag is a pleated design installed around the opening of the loading box so as to extend as loaded. It is understood that the tubular bag is only partially filled across its diameter, as ideally the filled tubular bag has a wider base then top as it extends from the apparatus. The apparatus can be scaled to accept different size bags to create levees of different heights.

[0008] In a first embodiment, the portable levee builder apparatus includes a loading box disposed to receive a granular material, the loading box having a center retaining area, an upper portal, a first open side and a second open side; wherein said first open side and second open side define a passage through the loading box. The center retaining area of the loading box can have a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape.

[0009] A hopper is disposed above the loading box for receiving and funneling a granular material through the upper portal into the center retaining area. The hopper is preferably sized to accommodate a standard bucket load from a skid steer sized loader although the hopper can be sized to accommodate other loaders or conveyors. The hopper may include an auger disposed to assist the granular material into the center retaining area

[0010] A ram drive system engages the granular material in the center retaining area. The ram drive system has a retracted position proximate the first open side and an extended position achieved after activation of a ram drive beyond the second open side. The ram drive system includes a ram support structure, the ram drive, and a ram plate box attached to the ram drive. The ram support structure is a tubular frame structure that supports the ram drive assembly and provides structure around the loading box. The ram drive may be a hydraulic unit or an auger unit. The ram plate box has an area slightly smaller than the passage defined by the first open side and the second open side of the loading box. The ram plate box includes an upper face or hopper plate disposed relative the upper portal so that granular material cannot fall behind the ram plate box when the ram plate is in the extended position. It is envisioned that the apparatus will include a control unit for activating the ram drive system when the center retaining area is sufficiently filled with granular material. The control unit may further include a sensor for automatically activating the ram drive system when the center retaining area is filled with granular material.

[0011] A levee bag mount is also disposed about the second open side, said levee bag mount having a horseshoe shape over which a folded levee bag is placed. The levee bag mount of portable levee builder may include retaining clips to hold the levee bag in place.

[0012] The portable levee builder apparatus may further include a hitch system for positioning the portable levee builder proximate a beginning point for the retaining structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a levee builder in accordance with the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top phantom view of the levee builder of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a discharge end of the levee builder of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the levee builder and a bag of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The levee builder 10 is depicted in the FIGS. 1-4 The levee builder 10 generally includes hopper 12, loading box 14, ram drive system 16, bag feeder 18 and levee bag 20. Hopper 12 is of a conventional inverted hollow frustum shape having a rectangular shaped upper opening 22 and a smaller rectangular shaped lower opening 24 connected by four angled sides. The upper opening 22 of hopper 12 is sized appropriately to accept the introduction of sand or other granular fill material from the bucket of a front-end loader or conveyor (not shown). Hopper 12 is sturdily constructed of, for example, aluminum or plate steel. It is further envisioned that hopper 12 may have a support structures, such as angle irons or rectangular tubing, disposed about the upper opening 22, lower opening 24 and at intermediate locations. Referring to FIG. 1, hopper 12 is located generally above loading box 14.

[0018] Loading box 14 is in communication with hopper 12 so that granular material placed into hopper 12 will funnel, preferably via gravity, into loading box 14. Loading box 14 is depicted herein as a quadrilateral structure, however, loading box 14 may be cylindrical or any other desired shape and still remain within the spirit and scope of the invention. Loading box 14 includes an upper loading box section 26 and a ram section 28. Upper loading box section 26 is vertically disposed above ram section 28 so as to allow for the unimpeded operation of expansion of bag 20 during filling operations. Ram section 28 is sized to accommodate the operation of ram drive system 16. Ram section 28 is preferably surrounded by ram support structure 30.

[0019] Ram drive system 16 generally includes ram plate box 32, hydraulic cylinder 34 and ram support structure 30. Hydraulic cylinder 34 is affixed to ram plate box 32 at plate mount 36 and to ram support structure 30 at loading box mount 38. Ram support structure 30 is preferably an open tubular metal frame construction formed in a shape to support ram section 28 at a first end and support the hydraulic cylinder 34 at a second end. The height and width of ram support structure 30 is larger than the height and width of ram plate box 32 and the length of ram support structure is slightly longer than the combined length of the hydraulic cylinder 34 and loading box 14.

[0020] Hydraulic cylinder 34 is preferably of a double acting design, actuated by a hydraulic pump system that can be incorporated into the levee builder 10 or can be supplied from an outside source such as a tractor. Preferably, the tractor or other source of hydraulics support is capable of supplying 2,000 lbs per square inch of hydraulic pressure and sufficient hydraulic fluid flow to cycle the ram plate box 32 at a desired rate.

[0021] Ram plate box 32 is constructed of metal of sufficient thickness and rigidity to withstand the hydraulic pressure needed to force the granular material into levee bag 20. The outer dimensions of ram plate box 32 may be covered completely or in part by an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or like material to provide for easy sliding within loading box 14. UHMWPE also will prevent fouling of ram plate box 32 with wet or muddy fill. It is envisioned that an upper wall or hopper plate of ram plate box 32 will extend far enough so that when ram drive system is fully extended granular material will not be able to fall behind the ram plate box 32. It is further envisioned that ram plate box 32 is internally supported by cross beams 33 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0022] Bag feeder 18 generally includes bag ring 42 and bag storage area 44. Bag ring 42 is operably connected to the open end of ram section 28 of loading box 14. The open end of ram section 28 is at the opposite end of loading box 14 from ram drive system 16. Bag ring 42 is preferably located adjacent to bag storage area 44. Bag storage area 44 provides a place for levee bag 20 to be stored and feed from during the operational process.

[0023] Bag storage area 44 preferably includes bag retainers 52. Bag retainers 52 may include spring-loaded arms 53 which apply tension to a folded levee bag 20 attached to the bag ring 42. Preferably, bag retainers 52 retain levee bag 20 at three points around the circumference of bag ring 42 but other variations can be used. Bag retainers 52 apply spring tension to the bag 20 to support it in place and allow it to unfold as needed. Other bag retainers 52 can readily be imagined by those skilled in the art.

[0024] Levee builder 10 is supported on a movable carriage 48. Carriage 48 preferably includes skids 50. Carriage 48 preferably provides a wide, stable platform for support of levee builder 10. Preferably, carriage 48 includes three skids to allow the levee builder 10 to be slid over the ground even in poor or irregular ground conditions, for example, mud. The levee builder 10 can be hauled and directed though application by hitch assembly 54 which is attached to ram support structure 30. A tractor or other mover can attach to hitch assembly 54 by a pin hitch 56 or other comparable means of attachment.

[0025] Levee bag 20 may be of any desired dimensions and is formed from a durable material of sufficient tensile strength to withstand the weight of the enclosed granular fill. Levee big 20 may be essentially an elongate tube that can be readily closed at either end. It is envisioned that a commercially available silage bag with an eight-foot diameter would be used in a first embodiment. Alternative embodiments may use thicker bags to increase the life of the levee.

[0026] In operation, levee builder 10 is delivered to a location at which it is desired to build a levee. A folded or gathered levee bag 20 is installed over bag ring 42 into bag storage area 44 and secured by bag retainers 52. Since levee bag 20 is typically open at both ends, a portion of levee bag 20 is extended from bag ring 42 and the distal end of bag 20 is closed off, for example, by tying.

[0027] Granular material such as sand, gravel or dirt is feed into hopper 12 by a loader. Ram drive system 16 is cycled back and forth by actuating hydraulic cylinder 34. On the backstroke, ram plate box 32 is retracted allowing granular material to drop from hopper 12 into ram section 28 of loading box 14. Ram plate box 32 preferably is constructed to include a horizontal top plate or hopper plate, with a perpendicular section so as to close hopper 12 when ram plate box 32 is advanced thereby holding additional material in the hopper 12 and not allowing material to fall behind ram plate box 32.

[0028] Ram plate 22 is cycled on the backstroke to allow granular material to fall from hopper 12 in the loading box 14. When loading box 14 is filled or partially filled with granular material, sand ram drive system 16 is cycled on a forward stroke thereby forcing the granular material out through bag ring 42 and into levee bag 20. This process both fills levee bag 20 with granular material, such as sand, and causes levee builder 10 and the prime mover, if present, to be pushed away from levee bag 20. This causes the automatic feeding of a further length of levee bag 20 from bag feeder 18. The cycle is repeated over and over again. In the process, levee bag 20 is rapidly filled with a large quantity of granular material and levee builder 10 is advanced away from the bag 20, in the process, creating a large self-contained levee in a very rapid and efficient fashion. When levee bag 20 is completely filled, levee bag 20 is detached from levee builder 10 and the detached end of levee bag 20 is closed. The process is then repeated by installing a new levee bag 20 and operating the device 10 until the levee meets the required length.

[0029] Alternate embodiments are envisioned in which the present invention can be powered by a hydraulic ram driven by a gas engine and a hydraulic pump instead of the tractor or prime mover. The movement of the levee builder can be adjusted based on the terrain or job requirements. The skids 48 could be substituted with wheels or rollers which may be necessary in swampy terrain. The levee builder 10 could be provided with a drive unit for self-propulsion by means of wheels or tracks operably coupled to an engine.

[0030] The filling mechanism can also be designed to utilize other pieces of hardware. An auger/conveyor with a dump loading box closer to the ground could be installed to transport the granular material to the hopper on top of the levee builder. It is envisioned that such a system would require that the auger/conveyor be rigidly attached to the levee builder with skids or wheels under the dump loading box so that the entire unit advances as one.

[0031] The hydraulic ram can also be replaced by an auger sized proportional to the bag diameter. The granular material is placed in the loading box and the rotating auger forces it into the bag. The auger could be powered by an attached motor or through the power take off of a prime mover. The entire machine will move in reaction to the auger force on the bagged material. Filling could also be accomplished through the use of a blower system or conveyor. However, such a device would only dump the granular material. An external drive system would be required to propel the device away from the bag as it fills.

[0032] It is envisioned that all of the concept described above could be incorporated into a system sized for filling bags of smaller diameters. It is envisioned that the present invention would be invaluable for creating soil erosion walls or containing product spills which may require a barrier substantially smaller.

[0033] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof; and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. 

1. A portable levee builder apparatus for rapidly creating a levee structure said apparatus comprising: a loading box disposed to receive a granular material, said loading box including a center retaining area, an upper portal, a first open side and a second open side; wherein said first open side and second open side define a passage through the loading box; a hopper for receiving and funneling a granular material through the upper portal into the center retaining area; a ram drive system disposed to slidably engage the granular material in the center retaining area, said ram drive system having a retracted position proximate the first open side and an extended position achieved after activation of the ram drive system beyond the second open side; and a levee bag mount disposed about the second open side, said levee bag mount having a horseshoe shape over which a levee bag is placed.
 2. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 1 wherein said center retaining area can have a rectangular shape.
 3. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 1 wherein said center retaining area can have a cylindrical shape.
 4. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hopper includes an auger disposed to assist the granular material into the center retaining area.
 5. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ram drive system includes a ram support structure, the ram power unit, and a ram plate box attached to the ram power unit.
 6. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ram support structure is a tubular frame structure which supports the ram power unit and provides structure around the loading box.
 7. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ram power unit is a hydraulic unit.
 8. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ram power unit is an auger unit.
 9. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ram plate box is a metallic plate with first flat and a second side that includes a ram drive mount, said ram plate box having an area slightly smaller than the passage defined by the first open side and the second open side.
 10. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 9 wherein said ram plat box includes a hopper plate disposed relative the upper portal so that granular material cannot fall behind the ram plate box when the ram plate box is in the extended position.
 11. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 10 wherein said hopper plate face is mounted generally perpendicular to an upper end of the ram plate box.
 12. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 1 wherein said levee bag mount includes retaining clips to hold the levee bag in place.
 13. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 1 further including a hitch system for positioning the portable levee builder proximate a beginning point for the retaining structure.
 14. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 1 further including a control unit for activating the ram drive system when the center retaining area is filled with granular material.
 15. The portable levee builder apparatus of claim 14 wherein the control unit includes a sensor for automatically activating the ram drive system when the center retaining area is filled with granular material.
 16. A method for constructing a levee, said method comprising the steps of: a. positioning a levee builder apparatus at a starting point for the levee; b. filling a levee builder hopper with a granular material; c. funneling the granular material into a loading box of the levee builder; d. driving a ram plate into the granular material disposed in the loading box; e. extending the ram plate through the loading box so that the granular materials enters into an open portion of a levee bag; f. further driving the ram plate against the granular material in a filled portion of the levee bag so as to force the levee builder away from the filled levee bag; g. retracting the ram plate through the loading box; and h. repeating steps b through g until the levee bag is filled
 17. The method for constructing a levee of claim 16 wherein a diameter of the levee bag is larger than the ram plate so that the levee bag deforms upon introduction of the granular material from a tube to a teardrop shape. 